Nuttall's woodpecker

Nuttall's woodpecker (Dryobates nuttallii) is a species of woodpecker named after naturalist Thomas Nuttall in 1843. They are found in oak woodlands of California and are similar to the ladder-backed woodpecker in both genetics and appearance.[2]

Nuttall's woodpecker
Male in California, USA
Female in California

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Piciformes
Family: Picidae
Genus: Dryobates
Species:
D. nuttallii
Binomial name
Dryobates nuttallii
(Gambel, 1843)
Range of P. nuttallii
Synonyms

Dendrocopos nuttallii
Picoides nuttallii

Description
Nuttall's Woodpecker male in Sacramento, California.

Nuttall's woodpecker has black wings and tail feathers with white barring. On the ventral surface, colour is white with black spots and barring. It has a black forehead with white streaks on the sides and an unbarred black region at the top of the back. Adult males have a distinguishable red crown which females do not. However, this physical feature is present in the juvenile of both sexes. They have zygodactyl feet and stiff tail feathers which allows them to maintain a vertical position on trees; typical of woodpeckers. The mass of the Nuttall's woodpecker ranges from 30 to 45 g (1.1 to 1.6 oz), with a body length of 16 to 18 cm (6.3 to 7.1 in).[3]

Taxonomy

The Nuttall's woodpecker is closely related to the ladder-backed woodpecker of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico.[4] The Nuttall's likely evolved via allopatric speciation when the two species were separated into smaller ranges by dry climate during the Pleistocene glaciation.[4] Hybrids of the two species exist but are rare.[4] Some taxonomic authorities, including the American Ornithological Society, continue to place this species in the genus Picoides.

Habitat and distribution

Nuttall's are a non-migratory species with a geographic range confined to northern California extending south towards the northwest region of Baja California, Mexico. Their preferred habitat is arid to mesic woodlands. In particular, these woodpeckers prefer oak woodlands, although they also occur in riparian sites and chaparral in the most southern parts of its range because of the decrease in oak abundance.[5] Individuals are found from sea level to 1,250 m (4,100 ft), rarely to 2,000 m (6,600 ft).[4] Although they have been found as far east as Central Wyoming.

The birds are not considered globally threatened although the range is restricted to the California Endemic Bird Area.[4] They are fairly common in California with a total world population estimated at over 100,000 individuals (density of about 20 birds per square kilometer in San Bernardino County).[4] Surveys suggest no obvious population trends.[4]

Behaviour

Vocalizations

Vocalizations performed by Nuttall's woodpecker are considered to be not of any harmonic. Some vocalizations have been described:

  • Call note – used between mated pairs to communicate their location to each other.
  • Double call – same function as call note can but also be used as a low threat alarm call.
  • Rattle call – used to establish territories when feeding
  • Kweek call – used between sexes mainly by female prior to copulation.

Both sexes drum. Rolls are relatively long, averaging over one second.[4]

Diet

Nuttall's woodpecker feeds primarily on insect larvae such as those of wood borers, click beetles, and ants, found by tapping and probing into the crevices in oak trees. The bird also feeds on sap from sap holes created by red-breasted sapsuckers in birch and willow, and consumes a variety of berry seeds.[6]

Reproduction
Male and chick in a nest

Pair bonding occurs in late January to March with egg-laying mostly in April and May. Nuttall's woodpeckers are socially monogamous and show displays of bi-parental care. New nests are excavated each year by males in the cavities of dead trees such as willow, oak, and alder. Clutch sizes range from 3 to 6 eggs with the male partner incubating the eggs at night and the female during the day. Incubation period can be up to 14 days. Fledglings are able to leave the nest around 29 days post hatch with parental care continuing for 14 days after that.

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References
  1. BirdLife International (2016). "Dryobates nuttallii". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2016: e.T22681149A92894366. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22681149A92894366.en. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  2. Lowther, P.E. 2000. "Nuttall’s Woodpecker Picoides nuttallii". The Birds of North America, No. 555l.
  3. Miller, A.H., C. Bock. 1972. "Natural-history of Nuttall Woodpecker at Hastings Reservation". Condor, 74: 284-294.
  4. del Hoyo, Elliott and Sargatal. 1992. Handbook to birds of the world. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain
  5. Block, William M. (April 1991). "Foraging ecology of Nuttall's Woodpecker". The Auk. 108 (2): 303–317. JSTOR 4087955.
  6. Jenkins, J.M. 1979. "Foraging behaviour of male and female Nuttall Woodpeckers Picoides nuttallii". Auk, 96: 418-420
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